Made it in China

China is the issue for business in the 21st century. Since the country
initiated its market reforms at the end of the 1970s it has made huge
strides and now virtually every business around the world, whatever its
size and wherever its location, has to include the "China factor" in its
business planning.

For businesses outside the country, China appears to present three key
opportunities:

A new market to sell goods (especially consumer
goods). China represents over 20% of the world's population: the
world population is rising, China's percentage of the world population
is rising, and personal wealth in China is increasing, making China a
true growth market in every sense and by any measure.

A low-cost manufacturing base. Chinese
manufacturing has become emblematic of the rise in low-cost offshore
manufacturing. From clothes to iPods, over the last few years consumers
have come to expect falling prices (and for technology products,
falling prices coupled with increased functionality). For many
companies there is now only one way to compete in this new marketplace:
manufacture in China.

A new place to do business. The booming
economy and the rise of the manufacturing industry in China have led to
many people leaving the land and moving to the cities. This huge and
unprecedented change in the largest society in the world has created an
extraordinary new place to do business (particularly for those helping
to build China's infrastructure).

The vast majority of businesses that go to China fail, and fail for
reasons that they don't ever get to comprehend. It is a brutal market for
those who do not understand it and there have been many major global
organizations that have had their fingers burned due to their incomplete
grasp of the country and its culture.

China is different and proud to be different. For businesses without
experience of the country, there are a whole range of new cultural,
political, legal, and economic challenges to be faced. There are also
many myths that need to be addressed, for instance, the availability of
cheap labor: while there is a vast supply of cheap labor, there is a high
demand for skilled employees meaning that employees in China can often
cost more than in the West.

Who Are the Featured Entrepreneurs?

Click here to read
more about the background of the nine entrepreneurs featured in Made it
in China.

Who Should Read This Book?

If you're in business—or are interested in business—you
should read this book irrespective of where you are doing business.
However, the book will be of particular interest to business people and
students whose interest is:

Manufacturing.

Infrastructure. This would include
businesses that work in infrastructure (for instance construction and
communications businesses), suppliers (such as telephone cable
companies), and associated service businesses (such as engineers,
architects, and surveyors).

Addressing the "China issue". For some
companies there are many strong arguments not to manufacture in China.
This book looks at both sides of the issues and is an excellent primer
for anyone looking for a defensive strategy.

Beyond manufacturing and hi-tech, there is a lot to be learned from
the Chinese way of doing business (for instance, their human resource
policies). Made it in China looks at many of the most up-to-date business
practices and thinking, and considers how these techniques can be applied
throughout the rest of the world.